used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
carefully weighed
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
DRILLverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
drilledadjectiveUS /drɪld/
trained in a skill by repetitious practice
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
drillingnounUS /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/
the act of drilling
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
EDINBURGHnounUS /ˈedənbəroʊ/
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
half the width of an em
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
figurativelyadverbUS /fɪˈɡjʊrətɪvli/
in a figurative sense
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
Jockie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
plural of “like” — a similar kind
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
OLD-TIMEadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
Raws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
RobertsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbərtsən/
United States basketball guard (born in 1938)
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
ROUTEnounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
SOLDIER-LIFE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
squadnounUS /skwɑːd/
a smallest army unit
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
TROOPERnounUS /ˈtruːpər/
a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading FIRST MONTHS OF SOLDIER-LIFE--THE PLEASURE OF DRILL--A PASSAGE OF ARMS--EN ROUTE FOR EDINBURGH CASTLE--AN OLD-TIME TROOPER.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Nobody likes to be drilled for the first time, or to form part in the awkward squad of "Jockie Raws" as they used to be called.
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
precisely as stated
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Private John Robertson had been for three whole months in Fort George, and drilling every day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I think that from the very first my grandfather considered himself better in every way than the lads he was drilled with.
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, those were stirring times, and soldiers were so valuable that they had, figuratively speaking, to be made by machinery.
